Steering mechanism for wagon-trains.



Patented July 30, 1918..

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.-

-A T TORNEYS.'

w. AIHUNDERMLL a c.V c. AVERY. STEERING MECHANISM FOR WAGON TRAINS.

A. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 3 I9|3` Y 1,274,109. v Patented July 30,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNE Ys.'

INV NT les.l I

embodiment of our invention, this result is accomplished by unclutching the sprocket Wheel 7 from the shaft or spindle 1l.

The sprocket Wheel 7 of each steering mechanism is looselymcunted on the shaft ll and is normally connected to the shaft 111 to. rotate: therewith by means of a manA ually shiftable clutch section 22 slidably keyed to the shaft atI 22a and' movable axially on the shaft 11 and having clutch teeth y23 for interlocking with complemcntal clutch teeth; 28@ provided' on the gear 7. As here illustrated, the clutch section'ZQ is shifted by means of` a fork 24 mounted on a rock shaft 25' journaled in the bracket 26 rising from the bearing block l2, and the rock shaft is actuated by means of a Weighted rock arm 27 mounted thereon and connected thereto by a lost-motion connection including a pin 28 projecting from the rock shaft and Working in a slot 29 in the hub 30 of the lever 27.

The clutch section 22 requires very little shifting' movement and owing to the lostmotion connection due to the pin 28 and slot 29, the shifting operation. of the clutch section is not effected until'k nearly the end oi the throtv ofthe lever 27 ineither direction, and hence the Weight of the lever'liolds the clutch section in either of its shifted positions. Any suitable meansmay be provided for making the chain free running.

In operation, when the carts are being pulled by a traction engine or any other' traction means, the steering mechanism of the front cart is in ineffective position in or der tohold the tongue from pivotal movement about the pivot t Yrelatively tothe front cart, While the steering mechanism of the rear cartk is renderedY effective by shifting the clutch section 22 into engagement With the sprocket Wheel 7, thus permitting the rear cart 2 to trail.

lNhen,r however, the carts are being pushed, the clutch 22, of the cart that happens to'be the rear cart, is shifted into connection with the sprocket Wheel 7y when the tongue is ini central position so that the tongue and` rear cart are'practically rigidly connected together. The clutch section 22 of the steering mechanism of the front cart is also interlocked with the clutch teeth of the sprocket Wheel 7 and during turning of the steering WheelV 2l of the mechanism of the front cart, the front cart is moved about its pivot t relatively to the tongue 1f..

Owing to the Vself-locking feature of` this steering mechanism, the tongue can be rig- ,idly connected to eitherpcart, and owing to Vthe shiftable .clutch section22, the carts can be disconnected from theirsteering mechanism. when being trailed.

. Although We have .shown `both carts as provided steering mechanisms, but one cart may be provided therewith and the tongue held, When desired, from Apivotal l. TheA combination of a pair of t-'Wo-V Wheeled carts, a tongue connecting the same and pivotally connected to both carts, means for rigidly connecting the tongue to one cart to render the pivotal movement of said' cart and the tongue ineffective, the other cart being formed with a guide extending transversely of the tongue, a slide mounted on the tongueand movable along the guide, and

steering mechanism on the latter cart and including Wheels carried thereby on 'opposite sides of' the tongue, ya beltrun'ning over the Wheels and secured to the slide, and' means for actuating the belt, substantially as and for the purpose described'.

2. The combination With a pair of carts having a tongue coupling the same together and pivotally connected to both carts and serving to transmit pushing `and pulling force from onecart' to the other, mea-ns on one cart for rendering the pivotal connection between the tongue andl said cart ineffective and thereby rigidly connecting the tongue and said cart, of" steering mechanismk carried by the other cart including an actuator carried by the latter cart, power transmitting means between the actuator and the tongue, the actuator being self-locking in order to hold-the latter cartl in any position it is shifted relatively to the tongue, and means for disconnecting theV actuator from the poWer transmitting means, substantially as and for they purpose speciiied.

3. The combination With a pair of vcarts having means coupling the same together and pivotally connected to both carts, of steering mechanisms carried by the carts on the opposing end thereof, each ,y steering mechanism being connected tothe, coupling means and being self-locking in any positionto which it i'sshifted, and each steering mechamsmincluding.means operable to render the steering means ineffective for per- Y mitting free pivotal movement of'either. cart on the opposing'ends thereof, each steering A mechanism including a belt secured l to the coupling means and extending in opposite directions therefrom and having ,running connection with its cart on opposite sides of the tongue, means for actuating the belt in opposite directions, the actuatingmeans being self-locking to hold the belts in any position to which they are moved, and means for disconnecting the actuating means from the belts for rendering the belts free running, substantially as and for thepurpose ing transversely of the tongue, slides mount-k ed on the tongue and movable along the guides respectively, steering mechanisms mounted on the carts, the steering mechanism of each cart including wheels carried thereby on opposite sides of the tongue, a belt running over the wheels and secured to the slide, and mea-ns for actuating one of fv the wheels, substantially as and for 'the purs pose set forth.

6. The combination of a pair of two- Copie: of this pntentmay be obtained for i'lve cents each, by addressing the e* Washingtond), GQ

wheeled carts and a tongue connectingthe'YV same, the tongue beingpivotally connected to both carts and both carts being-formed with guides on their opposing ends extending transversely of the tongue, slides mounted on the tongue and movablealong the guides respectively, steeringy mechanisms mounted on the carts, the steerin vine/cha.- msm of each cart including whee s carried thereby oniopposite sides of the tongue,a belt running over the wheels and secured'l to the slides, and means foractuating one Vofj the wheels, said means being selflockin tov Y hold the belt in any position itis shiftedand each ysteering mechanism Vincluding 'a part operable to disconnect its belt from theac-rv tuating means for rendering the belt free running, substantially `as and for the -purf pose described. Y n In testimony whereof, we have hereunto signed Yournames in the presence of two `at-VVV testing witnesses, at Auburn, in the county WALTERA. UNDERHiLL.

l Witnesses: f c

MARIE M, KINCHLEY, Crus. H. YOUNG.`

ommissioner of Patents.

Vof Cayuga,rin the State of New York, thisY n 18th day of l\lov.,1913.^l

icoUR'rNEY'o. AVERY, ,j 'i 

